1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

– Ephesians 5:1 (ESV)

Imitate (Verb) – To copy or take as a model.

Hey, have you heard? The sequel to Top Gun has been released. I don’t go to the movies often. When I do, it’s usually because my teenage son has bribed or persuaded me to take him. Honestly, I’ve got nothing against going to see a movie and I certainly love spending all the time I can with my son. My issue is, nothing released in recent years has excited me enough to want to want to sit still long enough to watch it.

But I’m telling you something happened when I saw the trailer for Top Gun. I was immediately drawn in. Memorized by nostalgic memories from my childhood. I was lost if but for a few moments in the happenings of the 80’s. I envisioned my 10-year-old self in the back yard “imitating” the main character, Maverick, as I flew my fighter jet. I felt the slap of the windmill high-five as my best friend and I shouted… “I’ve got the need… The need for speed!”

Come on, I can’t be the only one?! Did anyone else imitate action heroes when you were a kid? Even now, I find there is something refreshing about watching a child play, pretend, and imitate heroes. Perhaps the innocence of such play inspires us to consider that there are still heroes worth imitating. I want to believe that, don’t you? Well, I hope you do because it’s true!

God has given you a Hero to imitate. It’s Him. How amazing is the verse above? We are being commanded to imitate God as beloved children. As children imitate their heroes. As a child copies their parents, we are called to copy / imitate God. Now, obviously there are parts of God that we can’t copy; He is God after all. However, the text could not be more clear God delights in us imitating Him by walking as Jesus walked. Friends, take some time to read Ephesians 5:1-14 and consider what it means to imitate God. Ask the Lord to prepare your heart so that you can come, worship, receive His Word, respond, and leave the service copying the life and walk of His precious Son, and our Savior, Jesus.

Here is the worship set to help you prepare your heart.

Love you Church,

Jerry Lingenfelter
Senior Pastor